# Best Colleges in Maine

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 23 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-maine

## Methodology

Composite score for institutions in Maine

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Maine is home to a diverse range of colleges, each offering unique opportunities for students. With 23 institutions to choose from, prospective students and families are considering factors like graduation rates, earnings potential, and student debt as they navigate their options.

The schools on this list stand out for their strong outcomes. Key metrics to pay attention to include average earnings after graduation, graduation rates, and net student debt. These figures reflect not just the quality of education but also the financial realities students may face post-college. Understanding how these schools compare can help students make informed choices about their futures.

Take Bowdoin College and the University of Maine at Fort Kent as examples. Bowdoin graduates earn an impressive $82,735 on average, with a 95% graduation rate, while Fort Kent graduates earn significantly less at $51,077, with only a 40% graduation rate. These contrasts highlight the impact that institution type and resources can have on student success and financial stability.

## Key Findings

- Bowdoin College graduates earn an average of $82,735, the highest in Maine.
- Colby College has a graduation rate of 89%, meaning most students complete their degree.
- University of Maine at Fort Kent has the lowest graduation rate on this list at just 40%.
- $14,398 is the average net price for attending Bowdoin College, which is relatively low given their earnings.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Bowdoin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bowdoin-college) | Brunswick, ME | 95% | $82,735 | $14,398 | $18,500 | 0.22x |
| 2 | [Colby College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colby-college) | Waterville, ME | 89% | $80,490 | $17,180 | $19,157 | 0.24x |
| 3 | [Bates College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bates-college) | Lewiston, ME | 90% | $69,498 | $29,351 | $14,275 | 0.21x |
| 4 | [Maine Maritime Academy](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maine-maritime-academy) | Castine, ME | 60% | $89,964 | $23,414 | $27,000 | 0.3x |
| 5 | [Husson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/husson-university) | Bangor, ME | 58% | $45,025 | $21,005 | $27,000 | 0.6x |
| 6 | [Thomas College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/thomas-college) | Waterville, ME | 53% | $44,991 | $18,885 | $24,250 | 0.54x |
| 7 | [University of New England](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-new-england) | Biddeford, ME | 65% | $55,921 | $38,107 | $25,250 | 0.45x |
| 8 | [University of Southern Maine](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-southern-maine) | Portland, ME | 43% | $49,958 | $13,596 | $19,060 | 0.38x |
| 9 | [University of Maine at Fort Kent](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-fort-kent) | Fort Kent, ME | 40% | $51,077 | $7,482 | $20,160 | 0.39x |
| 10 | [University of Maine](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine) | Orono, ME | 56% | $48,653 | $17,510 | $25,000 | 0.51x |
| 11 | [Saint Joseph's College of Maine](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-josephs-college-of-maine) | Standish, ME | 67% | $59,045 | $27,555 | $27,000 | 0.46x |
| 12 | [University of Maine at Farmington](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-farmington) | Farmington, ME | 52% | $44,433 | $16,857 | $24,499 | 0.55x |
| 13 | [College of the Atlantic](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-the-atlantic) | Bar Harbor, ME | 69% | $40,264 | $25,184 | $25,050 | 0.62x |
| 14 | [Northern Maine Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-maine-community-college) | Presque Isle, ME | 38% | $43,348 | $7,181 | $10,825 | 0.25x |
| 15 | [York County Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/york-county-community-college) | Wells, ME | 31% | $44,873 | $5,875 | $8,861 | 0.2x |
| 16 | [Eastern Maine Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-maine-community-college) | Bangor, ME | 33% | $41,704 | $8,928 | $11,293 | 0.27x |
| 17 | [University of Maine at Presque Isle](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-presque-isle) | Presque Isle, ME | 45% | $40,956 | $7,035 | $16,000 | 0.39x |
| 18 | [Kennebec Valley Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kennebec-valley-community-college) | Fairfield, ME | 44% | $36,035 | $3,910 | $13,255 | 0.37x |
| 19 | [Central Maine Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-maine-community-college) | Auburn, ME | 29% | $42,448 | $6,975 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 20 | [Southern Maine Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-maine-community-college) | South Portland, ME | 24% | $41,661 | $11,086 | $10,331 | 0.25x |
| 21 | [University of Maine at Augusta](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-augusta) | Augusta, ME | 25% | $40,342 | $10,924 | $22,734 | 0.56x |
| 22 | [Unity Environmental University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/unity-environmental-university) | New Gloucester, ME | 44% | $37,852 | $19,104 | $25,000 | 0.66x |
| 23 | [Maine College of Art & Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maine-college-of-art-design) | Portland, ME | 50% | $40,778 | $38,338 | $27,000 | 0.66x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Colleges in Maine." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-maine

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.